EVA Air launches direct Taipei – Washington, D.C. route: a new link in the transpacific race for premium travelers
On February 11, 2026, EVA Air officially announced that it will launch direct passenger flights between Taipei and Washington, D.C. on June 26, 2026, further expanding its network to North America. According to the announcement, the company will reach a total of 10 North American "gateways" and 98 weekly flights to the continent with the new route. The line connects Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and will initially operate four times a week.
The introduction of a direct link to the U.S. capital comes at a time when the market between Taiwan and the U.S. is visibly heating up. Following the return of demand on transpacific routes, carriers are increasingly competing for higher-spending passengers, especially those traveling for business and official purposes, but also for the segment of travelers looking for a more comfortable product than standard economy. In this sense, the new route is not just another line in the flight schedule: it is an indicator of how the value of direct connections is being redefined in air traffic and how premium cabins are becoming a key tool in the battle for revenue.
Four flights a week and a precise schedule
According to the schedule published by EVA Air, flights from Taipei to Washington are planned for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Departure from Taipei is at 19:30, and arrival in Washington is at 22:30 local time. Return flights from Washington are scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with departure at 01:50 and arrival in Taipei the next day at 05:45.
Such a schedule is typical for long-haul transpacific operations: an evening departure from Asia and a late evening arrival on the U.S. East Coast reduces pressure on daytime slots and allows passengers to more conveniently plan the continuation of their journey. A night departure from Washington, arriving at the Asian hub in the early morning, creates an additional advantage for transfers to other Asian destinations via Taipei, which is an important element in the model of airlines that simultaneously sell both "point-to-point" and connections through their hubs.
Tenth North American destination and continued expansion after Dallas
With the new route, EVA Air confirms that the North American market remains at the center of its strategy. The company's President, Clay Sun, stated in a press release that after the introduction of the route to Dallas–Fort Worth the previous year, Washington is the next step in expanding the network toward the U.S., emphasizing that this strengthens the presence on the East Coast and offers passengers more flexible and efficient travel options.
The company states in the announcement that, along with Washington, its North American gateways will include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Chicago, Vancouver, and Toronto. This completes a network that has gained new destinations and increased frequencies in a short period, while simultaneously confirming the focus on routes where it is possible to attract both tourist and business demand. In industrial terms, this is also a signal that the carrier wants to further consolidate its position as the leading Taiwanese company to North America in terms of number of destinations and weekly capacities.
Why Washington: United hub, Star Alliance logic, and a market that grew even without a direct line
The choice of Washington Dulles has a clear network logic, especially due to the fact that it is a major Star Alliance hub where United Airlines plays an important role. Aviation Week highlighted in January 2026 that Washington Dulles offers great potential for transfers through United's network, which is key for the sustainability of long-haul routes targeting a wider market than the "point-to-point" route itself. In such an environment, the new line can count on passengers for whom Washington is not the final destination, but a waypoint to other cities on the U.S. East Coast and beyond.
The same analysis also states that demand between Taiwan and Washington grew even without a direct flight. According to data attributed by Aviation Week to Sabre Market Intelligence, in the 12 months to June 2025, about 39,000 two-way passengers were recorded in the Taiwan–Washington market, compared to about 33,000 in the previous 12-month period, with passengers most often connecting through West Coast gateways, especially San Francisco. Aviation Week also states that Washington was the eighth largest "origin & destination" market between Taiwan and the U.S. and one of the larger markets without a direct flight in the period they analyzed.
Such data explains why the "first real" direct flight on the Taipei – Washington route has received the status of a strategic investment. If demand developed even with additional time and transfers, a direct line can potentially further stimulate the market, especially in the segment of travelers who value time savings and travel predictability. This is particularly important for business itineraries and official travel, where meeting schedules and deadlines often do not tolerate extended transfers.
Estimated economic impact: more than 61 million dollars annually
The press release also quotes the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the body that manages Dulles Airport. According to their assessment, the new route could generate more than 61 million U.S. dollars in annual economic impact for the U.S. National Capital Region. In this context, MWAA emphasizes two aspects: a significant reduction in travel time between Taipei and Washington and the possibility of simpler connections to Asia via EVA Air's hub in Taipei.
Economic impact estimates are generally based on models that include tourism, business travel, and related consumption, so they should be read as indicative rather than a guarantee of outcomes. However, the fact that the airport's management body publicly highlights the expected contribution indicates that the new route is also seen as an instrument for strengthening Dulles' international position, in competition with other major U.S. hubs that are also competing for transpacific and intercontinental routes.
Boeing 787-9 with new Premium Economy: focus on the "middle of the market"
EVA Air announces that the Taipei – Washington, D.C. route will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 in a three-cabin configuration: Royal Laurel Class, Economy Class, and a new, fourth-generation Premium Economy. In the announcement, the company describes Premium Economy as a class that offers "the largest seat pitch in the industry," and presents the overall concept as a shift from "enhanced economy" toward an experience that, according to EVA Air, is closer to business class.
For carriers on long routes, premium economy has become a key revenue lever in recent years. Passengers increasingly seek extra space and service, but not necessarily the price of business class; this is precisely where the space opens up for a class that is more expensive than economy but significantly more affordable than business. Business Traveller noted in an earlier review that EVA Air, with its new premium economy product, aims to offer a standard closer to a "business-like" experience than a traditional intermediate class, which is part of a broader trend in the long-haul flight market.
In the carrier's business logic, such a product has a dual function. On one hand, it allows for attracting passengers who would otherwise remain in economy but are willing to pay more for space, privacy, and better conditions. On the other hand, for the company, it represents a tool for stabilizing revenue in times when demand in business class may be more sensitive to economic cycles. That is why the communication about the new route emphasizes Premium Economy, and not exclusively the fact that a new destination is opening.
Market dynamics: "competition" among Taiwanese carriers and capacity growth
Competitive pressure on routes between Taiwan and the U.S. is increasingly visible. The Points Guy wrote in an earlier analysis that after reaching pre-pandemic levels in 2023, capacities in that market are rapidly increasing, with EVA Air and its rivalry with China Airlines and Starlux Airlines playing a key role in opening new destinations and increasing frequencies. Such "competition" often turns into a race for strategic cities, schedules that better "catch" business travelers, and products that can justify a higher ticket price.
Aviation Week in January 2026 further illustrated the market size through schedule and analytical data. According to their text, the U.S. is the second largest international market for EVA Air after Japan, and in January 2026, it accounted for about 15.7% of all international outbound seats from Taiwan. Aviation Week also states that EVA Air held the leading share of available nonstop capacity in the Taiwan–U.S. market (about 50.7% in January 2026), while China Airlines and Starlux had significant but smaller shares, alongside the presence of U.S. carriers. The same text mentions the growth of total two-way capacity between Taiwan and the U.S. compared to the previous year, indicating that the market is expanding not only by diverting passengers but also by the growth of total demand.
In practice, such a market picture means that the new Taipei – Washington, D.C. route enters a competitive space where product quality, schedules that facilitate transfers, and the ability to attract premium passengers will play a key role. This is precisely why the communication strongly emphasizes Premium Economy, as well as the possibility of connections on the U.S. side via Dulles, where a large part of the domestic and international network is concentrated.
Partnerships and network "reach": more than 200 destinations in the Americas
In the official announcement, EVA Air emphasizes that, in addition to its own flights, it relies on a wide network of partnerships. As a member of the Star Alliance, it cites cooperation with Air Canada, United, Avianca, and Copa Airlines, and additionally, collaborations with a range of U.S. and Canadian carriers, including Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and WestJet.
For passengers, this means a more practical continuation of travel within the U.S. and Canada, but also a wider reach toward Central and South America, depending on specific itineraries and fare rules. For the company, such a "network effect" increases the chances that the new route will be sustainable even outside peak seasons, as filling does not rely exclusively on local demand between Taipei and Washington, but also on passengers in transit to other destinations.
What this means for passengers from Croatia and the region
Although EVA Air does not have direct flights from Croatia, the new direct connection between Taipei and Washington opens an additional option for passengers from the region traveling to the U.S. East Coast or further to Asia. Such trips are generally planned via European hubs or through a combination of transfers in the U.S. and Asia, and the availability of new nonstop routes can affect prices, travel duration, and route choice. In some cases, passengers going to Asia can get another itinerary combination where Taipei becomes a central transfer point, while Washington can be an access point for a wider range of cities in the U.S.
For some travelers, Taipei as a hub may be relevant due to the extensive network to major Asian cities, especially if the transfer windows fit well with European arrivals and departures. In practice, how competitive the new option will be will depend on fares, availability in individual classes, and specific travel dates, as well as how much it pays off for passengers to have an additional transfer compared to alternatives via other hubs. Premium economy, which EVA Air strongly promotes on this route, is an additional factor for those seeking a compromise between price and comfort on long flights.
Washington as a destination: politics, business, and cultural offerings
EVA Air describes Washington as a market with a high concentration of institutions, international organizations, and corporate headquarters, suggesting an expectation of stable premium demand. At the same time, the city is a strong tourist destination, known for the Smithsonian Institution museums and a wide cultural offering that attracts visitors throughout the year. It is precisely this combination of official, business, and tourist travel reasons that often gives long-haul routes stability: when one segment weakens, another can take over part of the burden in filling capacity.
For Washington Dulles, the new route is also a message that the airport wants to further position itself as an international gateway to the U.S. capital region, relying on its existing role as a United hub. If the route economics are confirmed through occupancy and stable yields, it is possible that there would be an increase in frequency in future seasons, but there are no official announcements about that for now.
Tickets are on sale, and the focus is on comfort and directness
EVA Air states that tickets for the new route are already available for sale through official channels. In the first months of the new route's operations, the market is often tested through a combination of promotional fares and inventory adjustments by class, and only over time does it become visible whether the initial four weekly rotations will be optimal or if an increase will be considered. Also, long-term sustainability will depend on fleet availability and the possibilities of further strengthening connections on both sides, especially in periods of increased demand.
For now, however, it is clear that with Washington, EVA Air is closing an important segment of its American network and simultaneously seeking to capitalize on the trend of growing demand for premium products on long flights. The combination of a direct connection with the political-business center of the U.S., a strong connection hub in Dulles, and a modernized Premium Economy on the 787-9 Dreamliner shows the direction in which the market is moving: less dependence on classic economy and more focus on passengers seeking comfort, flexibility, and time savings.
Sources:- EVA Air – official announcement on the introduction of the Taipei–Washington, D.C. route with flight schedule, statements, and stated MWAA assessment ( link )- Aviation Week – analysis of EVA Air's expansion toward Washington Dulles and market and analytical data on Taiwan–U.S. routes ( link )- The Points Guy – overview of the announcement and context of the growth of transpacific capacities and competition in the Taiwan–U.S. market ( link )- Business Traveller – information on EVA Air's new Premium Economy cabin and product positioning on long routes ( link )
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